A Christmas carol played on (not in) a cave

Virginia ’s Luray Caves are a mix between a geological feature , an organ , and an electric guitar . In Luray Caves , there is the physical structure of an pipe organ set against a far wall . It looks more like a piano , as it ’s missing one of the define role of a pipe organ : the pipes . Instead , this Hammond organ has “ stalacpipes . ”

stalactite hang down all over the Luray ’s large central cavern . In 1956 , Leland W. Sprinkle , whose name should peg him as an instructor at Hogwarts , converted these geologic features into extension of the cardinal instrument . When the organ is played , each key transport a sign to a golosh hammer , which wiretap lightly on the appropriate stalactite , which vibrate .

To create music , Sprinkle had to solicit stalactite acres from the cardinal reed organ , but at the bottom of each stalactite is a magnetic pickup . They mimic the vibration and send them along to an amplifier in the cave . Put together , the Luray Caves are the largest musical instrument in the world . Virginian of means occasionally hire the caves for weddings , because sometimes you ’re so happy to get get married that the very earth needs to tremble at your nuptials .